Hey, writers and readers, have I got something for you: an interview with one of the most cutting-edge publishers out there, Raw Dog Screaming Press. I guess the place is run by Jennifer Barnes (who was kind enough to answer my bizarre questions) and John Lawson. Their books are the coolest and they are some of the nicest people around! Anyway, here we go with the interview — enjoy!
SSM: Do you like stuff in your ice cream (crushed up cookies, M&Ms, pieces of fruit, gravel, bones) or do you prefer the smoother varieties?
RDSP: I debate this with the RDSP authors just about every day. They’ll crush up any old thing and add it to ice cream. I, on the other hand, prefer ice cream to be smoother than elevator jazz.
SSM: Do you have any gold teeth? If not, and the opportunity presented itself, would you get one?
RDSP: I only have silver fillings and probably wouldn’t get a gold tooth but I am looking forward to the near future ala D. Harlan Wilson when you will be able to hire robotic teeth that wear bowler hats to do your mastication for you.
SSM: If you were in a Fight Club, who would you fight?
RDSP: I actually am in a Fight Club but unfortunately I can’t talk talk about it.
SSM: If you were on that Hell’s Kitchen show, would you be able to work with Gordon Ramsay or would he make you cry?
RDSP: It’s preposterously easy to make me cry, especially if you say anything about my binky security blanket. I cry whenever Jeremy Shipp talks about the Attic Clown and tear up when he mentions garden gnomes. But I can cry and cook at the same time so it might work out.
SSM: One of my dogs always scratches up my front door and sidelights whenever I go outside. How can I stop him from doing this?
RDSP: Don’t go out—ever. I haven’t been out of my house in 6 years and my front door is as unblemished as the day it came off the assembly line.
SSM: What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you?
RDSP: This isn’t really that funny but it is kind of bizarro. My first job was working in a bakery and believe it or not, we were robbed. Not at gunpoint and not of money but of about 4 dozen dinner rolls. The people came to pick them up and just left without paying. We had to call the cops and everything. When the cop took my statement he asked me to, “describe the rolls in question.” However, they declined to do a sketch of the missing rolls.
SSM: Juicyfruit or Doublemint?
RDSP: I usually don’t allow myself to chew gum because I keep chewing and chewing until my jaw hurts.
SSM: What is up with komodo dragons? Do you think there could be a good cartoon series featuring one as the cute and cuddly main character?
RDSP: My son would definitely watch that but I see them as a better fit for the next Academy Award winning tear-jerker.
SSM: Do you prefer to travel by hovercraft or unicycle?
RDSP: I usually travel by komodo dragon sled but when mine’s in the shop I prefer a hovercraft loaner.
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So, Raw Dog is doing some cool things to promote some books that you might have missed. They’re calling it a Retrospective and they’ve been having Twitter chats with some of their authors and offering special bundles of books. Check it out: RDSP-Restrospective.
Thank you so much, Jennifer (and Raw Dog) for your time and silly answers! Keep up the good work!
